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Published on: October 23, 2011
[Molecular detection of sexually transmitted agents in a symptomatic group of men and its relationship with sexual
Daniela León1, Javier Retamal1, Ramón Silva1
1Laboratorio de Patología Molecular, Departamento Anatomía Patológica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Background:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect sexual and reproductive health of millions of men. Pathogens such as human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 y HSV-2), Chlamydia trachomatis,Mycoplasmagenitalium,Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum are associated with STIs.
Aim:
To detect pathogens associated with STIs in symptomatic men and its relationship with sexual behavior.
Methodology:
DNA was obtained from exfoliated cells of penis from 20 symptomatic men. Pathogens were detected using qPCR or PCR followed by reverse line blot. Sexual behavior was evaluated through a survey.
Results:
Two or more infectious agents were detected in 50% of samples. U. urealyticum was found in 25%, meanwhile C. trachomatis and M. hominis were detected in 15%. VHS-1, VHS-2 andM. genitalium were detected only in 5%. HPV was found in all samples. The most frequent HPV genotypes were VPH 16, 11, 70. There were no statistical link found between sexual behavior and the studied microorganisms Conclusion: Infectious agents associated with STIs were detected in symptomatic men. HPV was the most frequent pathogen and it was detected in multiple genotypes. It is necessary to increase the sample size to associate significantly the sexual behavior with the results.
Insights
Human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected in all symptomatic men studied, alongside other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to link sexual behavior with these infections.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) significantly impact male sexual and reproductive health.
- Common STIs are caused by pathogens including human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify pathogens associated with STIs in symptomatic men.
- To investigate the relationship between detected pathogens and sexual behavior.
Main Methods:
- DNA was extracted from penile exfoliated cells of 20 symptomatic men.
- Pathogen detection was performed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by reverse line blot.
- Sexual behavior was assessed via a survey.
Main Results:
- Multiple infectious agents (two or more) were identified in 50% of samples.
- Ureaplasma urealyticum was present in 25%, Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma hominis in 15% each.
- Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) and Mycoplasma genitalium were detected in 5% of samples.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected in all participants, with genotypes 16, 11, and 70 being the most frequent.
- No statistically significant correlation was found between sexual behavior and the presence of the studied microorganisms.
Conclusions:
- Infectious agents linked to STIs were identified in symptomatic men.
- HPV was the most prevalent pathogen, appearing in multiple genotypes.
- A larger sample size is required to establish a significant association between sexual behavior and STI detection.
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